Legendary Philadelphia hip-hop poet Lamar 'Black Ice' Manson dies at 54

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A legendary Philadelphia spoken-word artist and hip-hop poet has passed away.

Lamar Manson, better known by his stage name Black Ice, died on Wednesday surrounded by loved ones.

He is widely recognized as the first poet signed to Def Jam Records and as a star of the Def Poetry Jam TV and Broadway shows.

Manson was a Tony-, Peabody-, and Emmy Award-winning artist.

He was 54 years old.